Experience with open schools and preschools in periods of high community transmission of COVID-19 in Norway during the academic year of 2020/2021.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Schools and preschools have largely remained open in Norway throughout the pandemic, with flexible mitigation measures in place. This contrasts with many other high-income countries that closed schools for long periods of time. Here we describe cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools and preschools during the academic year 2020/2021, to evaluate the strategy of keeping these open with infection prevention control measures in place.

Methods

In this descriptive study, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health initiated systematic surveillance for COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in schools and preschools in October 2020. Data was compiled from the national outbreak alert system VESUV, municipality websites, and media scanning combined with the national emergency prepa

SUBMITTER: Stebbings S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9338507 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature